Government revenue from remote gaming has shot up from Lm93,000 in 2000 to Lm943,000 in 2003 and to Lm1.1 million up to August 2005.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was replying to Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi.

In reply to another question from Dr Azzopardi, Dr Gonzi said that at least 280 people are directly employed by the remote gaming companies, apart from work outsourced to consultants, lawyers, accountants, Internet Service Providers and other service providers.It is also estimated that remote gaming operators use around 150 megabits a month and pay Lm300 per megabit. The industry spends around Lm780,000 on internet services.

Health and safety

While in 2004 the Health and Safety Authority received 633 complaints, of which 104 were about people working without protective clothing, only 355 complaints were received in 2005.

Education Minister Louis Galea was replying to Dr Azzopardi.

Work at the Manoel

Work ongoing this year at the Manoel Theatre includes the reconstruction of 81 Old Mint Street, which will be changed into rehearsal and changing rooms, the reconstruction of the backstage passenger lift and maintenance work on Casa Bonici.

Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech was replying to Labour MP Carmelo Abela.

Speed cameras

The number of people nabbed so far by the speed cameras installed on the Mriehel Bypass on 1 September has totalled 1,952 while the one at ta’ Srina Bypass at Zebbug has caught 234 drivers since it was installed on 11 January. Urban Development and Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett was replying to Labour MP Charles Buhagiar.